Sea of Cortez Seahorse tank planning

JenC2012 · 10/03/2013, 12:21 PM

Hi all,

So I'v been planning a custom multi tiered tank for a while (the whole system will initially have 5 tanks a central sump and a little more than 600 gallons and will be expanded to include 300+ gallons for fry rearing). I would like to get your opinion on my main focal the seahorse corral. The corral will be acrylic estimating 1.25 inches thickness, dimensions: 48" length, 36" wide, 40" tall. With tight fitting lid over tank and overflow. Also I plan to use the "silent fail safe overflow" design provided by beananimal
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310585

I plan to have cooler water temps 72-76 degrees fareinheight, an extra deep coarse crushed sand bed (8-10 inches), a partial rock wall with multiple ledges and a freestanding arch (constructed of dry rock).

For water movement I plan on using a tunze wavebox (not sure if the wavebox is a good idea?) and a vortech mp40, or two (protected by milk crates or something similar). There will be two tanks that cascade into this; a display refugium and a cleaner shrimp brood stock tank (for added surface agitation and natural live foods by way of copepods and shrimp larvae).

I plan on keeping deep water corals and creatures that are nonphotosynthetic or have low light requirements; But I will have 2 Radions over the tank. so I can adjust the lighting accordingly.

My stocking list:
(2) blue spotted jaw fish (require deep sand, cool temp, no way to escape; my hope is to form a mated pair, these will be the first animals I add until a suitable pair is formed)
(4) seahorse reidi
(3-6)yellow cucumber (I'm not sure about these do they require warmer reef temps?)
Spotted linckia starfish (?)
Suncorals
Gorgonians
Tree sponges
Australian spider/lightening sponge (taking a liberty with this one, would it tolerate the cooler temp?)
Zoanthids toward the top of the tank.

My goal is to create a pleasant home that will encourage reproduction of the spicies I have listed. I know the jaw fish are a stretch but I really want to give it a shot.

I would like some input on the sandbed, I need to keep it deep for the jaw fish, but I don't want it to get cyanotic and I also don't want all the benofficial micro-life to be eaten up by a sand sifter, any suggestions?

I would also like suggestions on a competitive acrylic fabricator, best type of dry rock, and the best retailer for my stock list. Yes I will be going with seahorse source when the time comes.

Any feedback, suggestions, or questions are welcomed! I have done a lot of research, but 2>brains are better than one.

10/03/2013, 12:21 PM	#1
JenC2012 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Edgewood, WA Posts: 54	Sea of Cortez Seahorse tank planning Hi all, So I'v been planning a custom multi tiered tank for a while (the whole system will initially have 5 tanks a central sump and a little more than 600 gallons and will be expanded to include 300+ gallons for fry rearing). I would like to get your opinion on my main focal the seahorse corral. The corral will be acrylic estimating 1.25 inches thickness, dimensions: 48" length, 36" wide, 40" tall. With tight fitting lid over tank and overflow. Also I plan to use the "silent fail safe overflow" design provided by beananimal http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310585 I plan to have cooler water temps 72-76 degrees fareinheight, an extra deep coarse crushed sand bed (8-10 inches), a partial rock wall with multiple ledges and a freestanding arch (constructed of dry rock). For water movement I plan on using a tunze wavebox (not sure if the wavebox is a good idea?) and a vortech mp40, or two (protected by milk crates or something similar). There will be two tanks that cascade into this; a display refugium and a cleaner shrimp brood stock tank (for added surface agitation and natural live foods by way of copepods and shrimp larvae). I plan on keeping deep water corals and creatures that are nonphotosynthetic or have low light requirements; But I will have 2 Radions over the tank. so I can adjust the lighting accordingly. My stocking list: (2) blue spotted jaw fish (require deep sand, cool temp, no way to escape; my hope is to form a mated pair, these will be the first animals I add until a suitable pair is formed) (4) seahorse reidi (3-6)yellow cucumber (I'm not sure about these do they require warmer reef temps?) Spotted linckia starfish (?) Suncorals Gorgonians Tree sponges Australian spider/lightening sponge (taking a liberty with this one, would it tolerate the cooler temp?) Zoanthids toward the top of the tank. My goal is to create a pleasant home that will encourage reproduction of the spicies I have listed. I know the jaw fish are a stretch but I really want to give it a shot. I would like some input on the sandbed, I need to keep it deep for the jaw fish, but I don't want it to get cyanotic and I also don't want all the benofficial micro-life to be eaten up by a sand sifter, any suggestions? I would also like suggestions on a competitive acrylic fabricator, best type of dry rock, and the best retailer for my stock list. Yes I will be going with seahorse source when the time comes. Any feedback, suggestions, or questions are welcomed! I have done a lot of research, but 2>brains are better than one. __________________ Jen C-Always salty and seeking to shine the light of the Lord.